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Burning of posters and flags unacceptable - O'Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said that the burning of election posters and Irish tricolours on bonfires is unacceptable and should be investigated by the police as a hate crime.

The Upper Bann MLA was speaking after stolen election posters belonging to himself and party colleague Catherine Seeley were burned on bonfires in Portadown.

“The event as I understand was billed as a children’s fun day.

“It is totally unacceptable that these stolen posters appeared on the bonfire, especially in the context of an event which was supposed to be a children’s fun day, what message does the burning of images of elected representatives send out to children?

“Election material, poster and billboards belonging to all political parties should be treated with respect.

“The posters burnt were stolen during the election campaign and were reported as such. This incident and the burning of posters and flags at the main bonfire later in the evening have been reported to the Police as theft and a hate crime.” ENDS/CRÍOCH